Far East Kingdoms

South Asia

Assam

Assam is a state lying in the far north-east of modern
India,
with
Bangladesh bordering it to the west. The people mainly belong to a mix
of Mongoloid, Caucasian and Australoid races, speaking Austro-Asiatic,
Indo-Aryan, and Tibeto-Burman language types. In the mythological period Assam
experienced its first known rulers under a dynasty called the
Danavas. They and the succeeding
Naraka dynasty find
mention even in epics such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata,
Kalika Purana, Yogini Tantra, and so on. At this time, Assam
was known as Kamarupa (Pragjyotisha),
which was crystallised in a kingdom of the same name that emerged into
history in the ninth century AD.

(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha.)

Danava Kings

The Danava were the first accounted kings in the
Assam region of
India,
beginning the region's political history. Mention of them can be found in
Hindu literature, but no other source material has survived to confirm their
existence. The chiefs were mountain people, possibly of Mongoloid origin,
who were known in literature as the Kirata.

Ghatakasura is killed by Narakasura who founds the dynasty
of Naraka kings that subsequently rules the region.

Assam remained a largely rural region even in the nineteenth
century, when it was the one of the world's largest producers of tea

Naraka Kings

The Naraka were another semi-mythical dynasty in
Assam, as were the
Danava before them. Similarly, they are
only mentioned in Hindu literature, with no external confirmation, although
there is probably a basic truth in the existence of a powerful dynasty of
kings around whom later legends were built. The first Naraka king, Narakasura, killed the last of the Danava
kings and claimed his territory, founding a dynasty which was probably
aboriginal.

(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha.)

Narakasura

Founder of the dynasty.

c.1310s BC ?

Narakasura is apparently killed in battle by Lord Krishna
of Dwarka and his spouse, Satyabhama. Perhaps not all of the kings of this
dynasty are known, but the prominent ones are shown below.

Bhagadatta

Took part in the Kurukshetra War in the Mahabharata.

c.1300? BC

One
of the contemporaries of Jarasandha of
Magadha is Jayatsena,
probably an ally and vassal who rules a section of the kingdom independently
after Jarasandha's death. Jayatsena takes part in the Kurukshetra War
in the Mahabharata as one of the leaders on the side of Kauravas,
along with Srutayus of Kalinga,
Paundraka Vasudeva of Pundra,
Karna of Anga, and Malayadwaja of
the Pandyas. Bhagadatta of the
Naraka kings is also involved in the war.

Vajradatta

Vajrapani

Subahu

Suparua

Last Naraka king. Assassinated by his ministers.

c.1230s BC ?

The Narakas are not mentioned again and Assam becomes
obscured by the mists of time, for at least a millennium. The
Varman kings are the next to emerge,
the first historical dynasty in the region.

Varman KingsAD 350 - 655

The Varman kings were the first rulers to emerge into
history in first millennium Assam
(Pragjyotisha), and the first to be mentioned for the region since the mythological
kings of the Mahabharata period. The Varman claimed direct descent from the
Naraka kings, but their kings are
sometimes mistakenly lumped in with the later
Kamarupa kings in modern lists. The
kingdom was situated around the Brahmaputra river valley, around present day
Guwahati and Tezpur.

Bhaskaravarman assists Harshavardhana of
Thaneshwar against the
Gauda
King Shashanka. Even though Bhaskaravarman is a Hindu he also patronises
Buddhism. He dies without a heir.

c.650 - 655

Avantivarman

655

After the short reign of Bhaskaravarman's sole successor, the kingdom falls under the dominion
of the Salasthambha Mlechha dynasty. A
Varman dynasty later
emerges in Samatata, but it is
unclear if that bears any relation to the Varman kings of Assam.

Mlechha Kingsc.AD 655 - 900

The Mlechha (or Mlechchha) kings were local natives of
long standing, pre-dating many of the later arrivals, including any
Indo-Europeans (Aryans) in the region. They emerged as kings at roughly the same time as the
Kamata kingdom in
Assam. They gained control of the
territory which had very recently belonged to the now-extinct
Varman kings. They established a
capital at Hadpeshwar (present day Tezpur).

(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha.)

c.655 - 675

Salasthambha

c.675 - 685

Vijaya / Vighrasthambha

c.685 - 700

Palaka

c.700 - 715

Kumara

c.715 - 725

Vajradeva

c.725 - 745

Harshadeva / Harshavarman

c.750 - 765

Balavarman II

c.765 - ?

?

Name of this one, possibly two, king(s) unknown.

? - c.790

Pralambha / Salambha

c.790 - 810

Salambha

c.810 - 815

Arathi

early 800s

Pala
king Devapala conquers Pragjyotisha (Assam), where the (unnamed) king submits without
a fight.

Traditional Assamese dwellings remained the same for many
centuries

815 - 832

Harjaravarman

832 - 855

Vanamalavarmadeva

c.835

The first of the
Kachari kings claims to rule in the town of Dimapur in
Assam,
probably as little more than powerful chieftains at this point.

855 - 860

Jayamala/Virabahu

860 - 880

Balavarman III

890 - 900

Tyagasimha

900

The Mlechha are
forced out of their base by the Kamarupa Pala kings
and are pushed towards Dimapur, Maibong, Khaspur and Sadiya. The remnants of
the Mlechha later establish new kingdoms; the
Kachari kingdom at Khaspur and
the Chutiya kingdom at Sadiya. Kamarupa takes over the bulk of their former
territory.

Kamarupa Pala Kings (Pragjyotisha)c.AD 900 - 1100

Kamarupa (or Kamrupa, or even Kamrup) was an ancient
Indian region in south-eastern
Bengal and Assam. It
was known as Pragjyotisha
in mythology. Assam itself was also known by this name in the ancient period, but
it is not clear if the kingdom bore the region's name, or vice versa. It is
possible that Pragjyotisha's origins as a distinct kingdom far predated its
emergence into history.

Its earliest reference is found in the Allahabad Prashasti,
where it is noted as an eastern frontier state along with Davaka, Nepala, Karttrapura,
and Samatata.
The kingdom was known as Kirat Pradesh (or Twipra, which equates to modern Tripura).
It defeated the
Mlechha kings and took control of
their territory. Unlike their Buddhist Pala
counterparts in Bengal, the Kamarupa Palas were Vaishanavites and drew their
lineage from the Varman kings.

The dating for these kings is shown differently in some
sources, with the names of the first six kings being unrecorded and Brahmapala
reigning about 990-1010. The subsequent order is the same down to Dharmapala,
who is shown reigning about 1095-1115. The same sources erroneously place
the last of the Mlechha kings, Tyagasimha, in the Kamarupa list at about
970-990.

(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha.)

c.900 - 920

Brahmapala

Kingdom founder.

c.920 - 960

Ratnapala / Rativapala

c.960 - 990

Indrapala

c.975 - 990

According to the copperplates issued by his successors,
the Chandra king,
Kalyanachandra, makes his power felt in
Gauda and Kamarupa.
He may be responsible for delivering the final blow to Kamboja power in
northern and western Bengal and thereby paving the way for the revival
of Pala power under
Mahipala I.

India of AD 900 was remarkably unchanged in terms of its general
distribution of the larger states - only the names had changed,
although now there was a good deal more fracturing and regional
rule by minor states or tribes (click on map to view full sized)

c.990 - 1015

Gopala

c.1015 - 1035

Harshapala

c.1035 - 1060

Dharmapala

c.1060 - 1100

Information on the Kamarupa kings becomes very sketchy and
confusing from this point. Dharmapala is often claimed as the last
independent king who is overthrown by the Pala
king,
Ramapala, and a regional governor is installed. However, the timescale
appears too long for this to be true, unless the given dates are wrong.
Ramapala does not accede to the Bengal throne until 1077, making this the
earliest date at which he could conquer Kamarupa. Instead, the occasional
claim that Jayapala succeeds Dharmapala is probably an accurate one. The
dates are approximate here, so Jayapala may also immediately succeed Dharmapala,
but this cannot be proved.

c.1075 - 1100

Jayapala

c.1100 - 1110

The Pala
king,
Ramapala, apparently conquers Kamarupa about 1100 and sets up a Pala governor to control the territory
in his name.

Gaud Pala Kings of Bengal (in Assam)AD 1110 - 1140

The
Pala
king,
Ramapala, restored much of the past glory of his Pala dynasty in Bengal.
After crushing a rebellion, he extended his empire farther, reaching as far as Kamarupa (Assam) about
1100-1115. Here, he replaced his Assam Pala cousins with Timgyadeva, the new
Pala governor for the region. But Timgyadeva declared his independence in
1110, setting himself up as an independent king. The same thing happened in
1140, briefly, before the governors were removed entirely.

While it seems to take some time for his former
Pala
masters to deal with Timgyadeva, retribution for his declaration of
independence arrives in the form of Kumarapala, son of Ramapala. Timgyadeva
is deposed (his ultimate fate is unknown) and a new governor is assigned to
the region.

Following the death of Kumarapala, his
Pala
governor in Assam, Vaidyadeva, also declares his independence, but his reign
is very brief as the Kamarupa
kings take this opportunity to restore their own rule.

Kamarupa Kings (Restored)AD 1131 - 1228

Following the
Pala
conquest of Kamarupa, and the establishment of regional governors, it took
just a generation for the Kamarupa kings to restore themselves to
independence. However, this was a different Kamarupa kingdom, weaker than
before, and lacking the kind of control it may formerly have exercised in
Assam. Many of its former
territories soon came to host other small kingdoms and fiefdoms. To the east
arose the Chutiya,
Ahom and
Kachari kingdoms. To the west the
Barobhuyan chiefs formed a buffer region
between the east and the Kamata
kingdom.

The previous king, Jayapala, is shown as the
first ruler of the restored kingdom, which would have made him at least
seventy when he died, if not older. While this is not beyond the bounds of
possibility, it does seem unlikely. It is possible that they were two
different men, perhaps father and son, although that doesn't tally with
usual naming practices in Indian kingdoms.

(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha.)

c.1131 - 1138

Jayapala

Restored, but unlikely. Perhaps the
real name has been lost.

c.1138 - 1145

Vaidyadeva

c.1145 - ?

Rayarideva

? - c.1175

Udayakarna

c.1175 - 1195

Vallabhadeva

1185

The Khen
kings emerge in Assam, elevating themselves from local chieftains to kings
as a power vacuum emerges with the decline of the Kamarupa kings.

1187

Kamarupa's decline is highlighted once again as the Chutiya kings
emerge to the east of the kingdom, in north-eastern Assam.

Elephants were a regular feature in tea transportation in Assam

12th century

The
Barobhuyan
chieftains emerge to the west of Kamarupa in Assam, forming a buffer region
between Kamarupa and the
Kamata kings.

c.1195 - 1228

Vishvasundaradeva

1224

During
his rule of Bengal,
Sultan Ghiyasuddin Iwaj Khilji builds up a powerful navy and takes on
Vanga (a former Iron Age state
in eastern Bengal), Kamrupa, the
Utkalas, and Tirhut
(northern Bihar). The
Eastern Gangas
to the immediate south of the Utkalas appear to escape any major attacks
to start with, but are soon forced to fight their own defensive battles.

1228

The
Kampura kingdom finally collapses, although it has probably already been
much-reduced in territory. The Ahom
kings succeed them in Assam, based more to the east. The
Kachari kings also begin to
emerge in eastern Assam. Kamarupa itself later becomes the capital of the
Koch kings.

Ahom KingsAD 1228 - 1838

The Ahoms belonged to the Shan Tai Mong Mao race which
originated in parts of southern
China and
south-east Asia. Adopting the Hindu religion, they formed kingdoms in
regions of Kamarupa (in
Assam) in the early
thirteenth century. They also gave their name to the region, Ahom
being the ancient version of the Anglicised Assam.

The largest of these kingdoms was formed by Sukhapa, a Shan prince who
captured parts of Assam after descending from the Patkai mountains. He ruled
from his capital at Charaideo, but this was the first of many capitals,
suggesting either a semi-nomadic kingship, or a constant shifting of power
and alliances to retain the kingship. The Ahom kings initially ruled
territory to the east of Kamarupa, arising alongside the Chutiya
and
Kachari kingdoms.

(Information by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha.)

1228 - 1268

Sukhapa

Founder of the dynasty.

1257

Mameluke king of Bengal, Iuzbak, proclaims himself an independent ruler. The ambitious Iuzbak attacks and occupies Bihar
and, buoyed by his success, he
invades Kamarupa. This proves disastrous and Iuzbak is killed in
battle.

1268 - 1281

Sutepha

Son.

1281 - 1293

Subinpha

Son.

1293 - 1332

Sukhangpha

Son.

1332 - 1364

Suharampha

Son.

1336

The
Kachari kings emerge as a recognisably independent kingdom based at
Dimapur in Assam.

A second interregnum hits the dynasty following
Sutupha's untimely death.

1380 - 1389

Tyaao Khamti

Son of Sukhangpha. Assassinated.

1389 - 1397

Yet another assassination provides another
interregnum in the unsteady rule of the Ahom kings. The next to claim
the kingship eight years later moves the capital to Charagua, perhaps to
increase his security.

As a partial culmination of their inter-kingdom feud, the Ahoms
take Sadiya and kill the
Chutiya king.
The position of sadiyakhowa gohain is created, the governor of Sadiya. The
Chutiyas, forced away from their capital, rally in the countryside and
conduct guerrilla warfare against the Ahoms.

1539 - 1552

Suklenmung / Garghyan Roja

Son. Ruled from his capital at Garhgaon.

1552 - 1603

Sukhampha / Khura Roja

Son.

1586

During his reign, the
Kachari king, Satrudaman, is
also responsible for an invasion of the Jayantiya
kingdom which begins a period of increased Kachari dominance there, although
they are rivalled by the Ahoms.

1603 - 1641

Susengpha / Pratapsingha / Burha Roja

Son. Also known as Buddhiswarganarayan.

1616

The descendants of the brother of the last king
of Koch Hajo are
allowed to form the Ahom vassal state of
Derrang.

Susengpha expands his territories to the west and comes into conflict with
the
Moghuls, probably during the reign of Jahangir, signalling later trouble
for the Ahom kings. Despite this serious mistake, the king makes a good
ruler and
administrator. He also brings the
Barobhuyan chieftains
under his domination.

1641 - 1644

Surampha / Bhoga Roja

Son. Also known as Jayaditya Singha. Deposed by Sutingpha.

1644 - 1648

Sutingpha / Nooriya Roja

Brother. Deposed and
murdered by his son, Sutamla.

1644 - 1648

Nooriya Roja and King Jasamanta Ray of the
Jayantiya kingdom become
involved in a dispute over territory, which sours the previously good
relations between the kingdoms.

1648 - 1663

Sutamla / Jayadhwaj Singha

Son.

Sutamla rules from
his capitals at Bakata and Garhgaon, which had also served Suhunmung and Suklenmung
in the first half of the sixteenth century. He adopts the monotheist Mahapuruxia religion.

1660 - 1663

Mir Jumla, the Moghul subahdar of
Bengal, is an enterprising ex-employee from
Golconda who switches
sides to join the
Moghuls.
He is made governor of Bengal, where he does a
commendable job, expanding his territory to include Kamarupa and
Koch
Bihar.

1663 - 1671

Supangmung / Chakradhwaj Singha

Cousin.

1671

Supangmung's general, Lachit Borphukan, stems
Moghul expansionism by defeating their more powerful army at Guwhati
during the Battle of Saraighat. The Ahom troops use the terrain to their
advantage, coupled with every other trick in the book to demoralise and
disorder their opponents.

1671 - 1672

Sunyatpha / Udyaditya Singha

Brother. Deposed as an unpopular bigot.

1672 - 1674

Suklanpha / Ramadhwaj Singha

Brother. Poisoned.

1673

The Chutiyas
fall under the domination of the Ahom kings, and are absorbed into their
state. The
Kachari and Jayantiya
kings remain in power in various other parts of Assam.

1674 - 1675

Suhunga / Samaguria Roja

A descendent of Suhunmung.

1675

Gobar Raja

Great-grandson of Suhunmung.

1675

Gobar Raja is deposed by Atarn Buragohain and
executed.

1675 - 1677

Sujingpha

Grandson of Pratapsingha. Deposed & blinded. Committed suicide.

1677 - 1679

Sudoipha

Great-grandson of Suhunmung. Deposed and killed.

1679 - 1681

Sulikpha

Of the Samaguria family. Deposed and killed.

1681 - 1696

Supatpha / Gadadhar Singha

Son of Gobar Raja.

Supatpha governs from Borkola, establishing the rule of the Tungkhungia clan.
He retakes Guwahati from the
Moghuls and proves to be a good administrator.

Transporting tea by boat was another stage in the journey before
the advent of the railway

1682

The
Moghuls attacked the vassal kingdom of
Derrang, deposing Suryanarayan
there. The kingdom is
ended, but the Ahoms regain control of the region.

1696 - 1714

Sukhrungpha / Rudrasingha

Son. Ruled from
Rangpur.

Sukhrungpha banishes his brother, Lechai, fearing his ambitions. Lechai's
son later returns to lead a rebellion against a later king.

1714 -1744

Sutanpha / Siba Singha

Son. Adopted the Shaktism religion.

1744 - 1751

Sunenpha / Pramata Singha

Brother. Built Rangghar amphitheatre.

1751 - 1769

Surempha / Rajeshwar Singha

Brother.

During his reign, Surempha builds
Manikarneshwar temple, along with Sureshwar and Siddheswar temples. He also
sends an army to aid
the ruler of Manipur, who has been deposed by the
Burmese.

1769 - 1780

Sunyeopha / Laxmisingha

Brother.

Sunyeopha starts to persecute followers of the Mahapuruxia religion, which
leads to disunity in the kingdom and the Moamoria Rebellion, which is led by Mohanmala, son of Lechai.
The king is held captive by rebels
for a time but later regains his kingdom.

1780 - 1795

Suhitpangpha / Gaurinath Singha

Son.

Suhitpangpha loses
Rangpur to rebels from Mormaria. He rules the kingdom from his capital at Jorhat
and commissions a team
of Nora astronomers to re-examine the history of the Ahoms.

1795 - 1811

Suklingpha / Kamleshwar Singha

Great-grandson of Lechai. Killed by smallpox when young.

1811 - 1818

Sudingpha

Brother. Deposed and imprisoned.

1818 - 1819

Purandar Singha

Descendent of Surempha.

1819

Purandar Singha defeats the
Burmese
during their invasion of Assam, but
the capital at Jorhat falls to them.

1819 - 1821

Sudingpha / Chandrakanta Singha

Restored following the removal of Purandar Singha.

1819 - 1824

Soon after he is restored to the throne, Sudingpha is forced to flee from the capital after
an invasion of Assam by the Bagyidaw Burmese
is led by Milingmaha Tilwa. The Ahoms are ruled by the
Burmese, with the brother of Hemo Aideo, the Bagyidaw
queen of Burma, ruling as a puppet.

As
Burmese attention on the Ahoms begins to waver from 1822, their puppet
ruler is removed. Purandar Singha is restored to the throne, but this time
as a tributary raja of Upper Assam, subject to the authority of the
BritishEast India Company.
In 1824 the start of the Anglo-Burmese War forces the occupiers to
fully concentrate on their own lands, ending the period of occupation.